UK may pay EU for market access: minister

The British government is prepared to consider paying for the UK to access the European single market post-Brexit.

Brexit Secretary David Davis has told MPs ministers wanted to "get the best possible access for goods and services to the European market" after the UK has left the bloc.

Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, asked Mr Davis during Brexit questions in the Commons on Thursday: "This is a general question, so it gives you plenty of scope to give some sort of response.

"Will the government consider making any contribution in any shape or form for access to the single market?"

Mr Davis replied: "The simple answer we have given to this before is, and it’s very important because there is a distinction between picking off an individual policy and setting out a major criteria, and the major criteria here is that we get the best possible access for goods and services to the European market.

"If that is included in what you are talking about then of course we would consider it."

Hilary Benn, Labour chairman of the Commons Brexit Select Committee, urged the Government to publish details of its vision for post-Brexit Britain.

Mr Davis said he is due to appear before the Brexit committee in December and members of the committee had already visited the Department for Exiting the European Union.